Kiper: 49ers probably won’t want to miss out on Josh Allen

Kentucky linebacker Josh Allen (41) catches Texas A&M quarterback Kellen Mond (11) for a sack during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Kiper expects the Cardinals to select Bosa at No. 1, which would leave Allen for the pass-rush-starved 49ers, who have used a first-round pick on an interior defensive lineman in three of the past four seasons (Translation: They probably aren’t in the market for Williams). The Jets have the No. 3 pick.

“There’s no question if you’re looking for an edge rusher and you’re the 49ers or the Jets, Josh Allen (is the pick),” Kiper said on a conference call. “People say trade out of there. If you trade out of there, you’re taking yourself out of the Josh Allen situation.

“I don’t think the 49ers or Jets would want to do that. I know the Jets would like to pick up other draft picks, but if you move out of (No. 3) you don’t get Josh Allen if he’s there. And I’m not convinced he’ll be there. I think the 49ers could take him at (No. 2).”

In 2017, the 49ers traded back one spot with the Bears -- correctly believing they were moving up for quarterback Mitch Trubisky -- and still landed the player they wanted, defensive lineman Solomon Thomas, at No. 3. In 2019, the Jets don’t need a quarterback after selecting Sam Darnold at No. 3 last year. In other words, the 49ers likely wouldn’t land Allen if they moved back.

Of course, plenty could change over the next two months. Prospects’ stock will fluctuate after next week’s combine and subsequent pro days. And the 49ers’ need for an edge rusher might not be as pressing depending on whom they acquire in free agency.

In addition, it’s possible the 49ers aren’t as bullish on Allen and wouldn’t mind trading down a few spots and picking up a highly regarded edge rusher such as Rashan Gary (Michigan) or Clelin Ferrell (Clemson).

For his part, Kiper doesn’t think there’s a “big gap” between Allen and Bosa, the consensus No. 1 pick. Bosa’s high school career ended with a torn ACL and his college career ended after he had surgery last year for a core-muscle injury.

Kiper cited Bosa’s injury history as a reason why Allen is a comparable prospect. Allen had 17 sacks in 2018 after back-to-back seven-sack seasons.

“I think Bosa’s the guy,” Kiper said. “The only thing with Bosa is the durability. If it wasn’t for the injury his senior year in high school -- and the injury (last) year -- there wouldn’t be anybody close to him. And Allen had an unbelievable year … He was a solid player, but he became a great player this past year.”

Eric Branch has worked at the San Francisco Chronicle since 2011 as the 49ers beat writer. Before that, he covered the 49ers for the Santa Rosa Press Democrat in 2010. Since he began his career in journalism in 1997 in Logansport, Ind., he’s covered events ranging from archery tournaments to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.